Heavy rains have battered Kratie province, causing severe flooding in homes and roads as Cambodia prepares for the arrival of typhoons Bibinka and Pulasan, as reported by KIRIPOST.

Strong storms struck Chetr Borei district overnight, devastating livelihoods as residents in several villages woke to flooded homes, roads, schools, health centres, and pagodas. Videos posted on social media showed residents wading through waist-high water as they attempted to move their belongings. Va Thorn, Governor of Kratie Province, attributed the flooding to heavy rains throughout the night, not the rising Mekong River water level. He assured residents that the situation does not pose a threat to life, as water levels have begun to recede.

Soth Kimkolmony, spokesperson at the National Committee for Disaster Management, confirmed flooding in five villages in Dar commune, Chetr Borei district. Wat Dar's outer grounds, Dar primary school, and Dar health centre were submerged under 1.4 metres of water. Additionally, 20 houses and several roads were severely flooded in Anchanh and Stung Svay villages. Kimkolmony also reported flooding in Otres commune, Stung Hav district in Preah Sihanouk province, but confirmed no injuries to residents or animals.

The Mekong River has not yet risen to a critical level. Relevant authorities are inspecting the situation and preparing emergency materials for intervention if water levels continue to rise. The Committee is cooperating with the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology to respond swiftly and provide public updates. The Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology issued a statement warning about the impact of Typhoon Bibinka and Typhoon Pulasan, which are expected to bring strong storms to lowland and coastal areas from September 17 to 19, 2024.

A low-pressure system is also forecast to cover the central Mekong Basin, the South China Sea, and Cambodia. The Mekong River Commission also issued an alert about a tropical depression moving towards the Philippines. It is expected to strengthen into a storm in the next 24 to 48 hours and could lead to rising water levels in Thailand and Cambodia. Heavy rainfall is predicted in several Cambodian provinces, including Battambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Speu, Kampong Thom, Kratie, Mondulkiri, Stung Treng, and Ratanakiri.